Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-06
Countess NarODa.
BY w1LKIE COLLINS.
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER vi.
The mem day the friend and legal adviser
OF Agnes Lockwood, Mr.. Troy, called on her
by appointment in the evening.
MS. Ferrari-still persisting IN the convic
ton of her husbands death-had sufficiently
recovered to be present ut the consultation.
Assisted by Agnes, she told the lawyer the
little that was known relating to Ferrarii
disappearance, and then produced the CORE
spondence connected with that event Mr..
Troy read first the three letters addressed by
Ferrari TO his wife; secondly the letter
written by Ferraris courier friend, describ.
ing his visit to tho palace and his interview
with Lady Montbarry; and (thirdly) the ons
line of anonymous writing which had accom-
panied the extraordinary gift Of a thousand
pounds to Ferraris wife.
Well known. at later period, as the law
yer who acted for Lady Lydiard, in the case
of theft, generally described as the case OF
any Lady's Money" Mr.. Troy was not only
man OF learning and experience in his pro-
fession-he was also man who had seen
something of society at home and abroad.
He possessed keen eye for character, a
quaint humor, and kindly nature, which
professional experience OF mankind. With
all these personal advantages, 1t is a question.
nevertheless, whether he was the fittest adj
wiser whom Agnes could have chosen under
the circumstances. Little Mrs. Ferrari, with
many domestic merits, was an essentially
commonplace woman. Mr.. Troy was the last
person living who was likely to attract her
sympathies-he was the exact opposite Of a
commonplace man.
"She looks very i'll, poor thingl" In these
words the lawyer opened the business of the
evening, referring TO Mrs. Ferrari as uncere-
moniously as If she had been out of the room.
"She has erred a terrible shock" Agnes
answered
Mr.. Troy turned to Mrs Ferrari, and looked
at her again, with the interest due to the vic
tim OF shock. He drummed nbsently with
his fingers on the table. AZ last he spoke to
her.
any good lady, you don't really believe
that your husband Is deadf7
Mrs. Ferrari put her handkerchief to her
eyes. Tho word %dead" was Intellectual to
express her feelings HMurdered" she said,
sternly, behind her handkerchief.
@Whyi And 10y whomln Mr. Troy asked.
Mrs Ferrari seemed to find some difficulty
in answering. "You have read my hus-
bands letter, SIR she began. Il believe he
discovered She got as far as that, and
there she stopped.
"What did be discoveri7
There are limits to human patience-even
tho patience of bereaved wife This cool
question irritated MIRA Ferrari into express
lug herself plainly at last
ale discovered Lady Montbarry and the
eI,r rvflb NJ I,rra-
terical vehemence. 1.-THE baron is no more
that vile woman's brother than l am. The
wickedness Of those two wretches came TO my
poor. dear husbands knowledge. The lndy's
innid left her place OH account of II. II Fer
rari had gone away, too, he would have been
alive at this moment. They havo killed him.
say they have killed him, TO prevent it from
getting to Lord Montbarry's ears" So, in
short, sharp sentences, and in louder and
louder accents, Mrs. Ferrai stated her opln-
ion OF the case.
Still keeping his own view In reserve, Mr..
Troy listened with an expression of satiricnl
approval
every strongly stated, Mrs. Forran," he
said. "You build up your sentences we'll;
you clinch your conclusions in a workman
like manner. II you had been man you
would have made good lawyer-you would
have taken juries by the scruff Of their necks.
Complete the case, my good lady-complete
the case. Tell us next who sent you this
letter, inclosing the banknote. The two
wretches who murdered Mr.. Ferrari would
hardly put their hands in their pockets and
send you Ell 900. Who is it-ehi | see the
postmark on the letter is Venice Have you
any friend In that interesting city with
large heart, and purse to correspond, who
has been let into the secret and who wishes to
console you anonymously"
1t was not easy to reply TO this Mrs. Fer
rnIi began 10 feel the first inward approaches
of something like hatred toward Mr.. Troy.
81 don't understand you, sir" she answered
II don't think this Is joking matter"
Agnes interfered for the first time. Sho
drew her chair little nearer 10 her legal
counselor and friend.
"What is the most probable explanation,
in your opinionF she asked.
~ shall offend Mrs. Ferrari II toll you,"
Mr.. Troy answered.
mo, sir, you won'tr cried Mrs. Ferrart,
hating Mr.. Troy undlsguisedly by this time.
The lawyer leaned back In his chair every
rell," he said in his most good humored man
ser. "Let's have 1t out. Observe, madame,
I don't dispute your view Of the position Of
aifairs at the palace in Venice. You have
POUR husbands letters 10 Justify you, and
you have also the significant fact that Lady
Montbarry's maid did really leave the house.
We will say, then, that Lord Montbarry has
presumably been made tho victim of foul
wrong that Mr. FeUari was the first to find
1t out, and that the guilty persons had rea-
SONS to fear, not only that he would acquaint
Lord MontbarTy with his discovery, but that
DO would be a principal witness against them
II the scandal was made public in court OF
law. Now mark admitting all this, draw
u totally different conclusion from tho con-
clusion at which you have arrived. Here Is
your husband left In this miserable household
Of three, under very awkward circumstances
Tor him What does no dot But for tho
banlinote and the written message sent TO
you with Ii, l should say that he had wisely
Withdrawn himself from association with dis
graceful discovery and exposure by taking
secretly TO flight. The money modifes this
Internationally so far as Mr.. Ferrari Is
concerned. still believe he Is keeping out
Of the way. But now say he Is paid for
keeping out Of the way-nnd that banknoto
there on the table Is tho price Of his absence.
paid by the guilty persons 10 his wife"
Mrs. Ferrari's watery gray eyes frightened 1
suddenly; Mrs, Ferrarib dull, drab colored
complexion became enliyened by glow Of
brilliant red.
ats falsel" she cried ats a burning
Ihamo to speak Of my husband in that wayP
II told you should offend your said Mr.